Tension device



Feb. 13, 1940. E. B. FEAsTER TENSION DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 y w 5% 2 f f 9 n f 7 2 f W y W --...l.|...................- w J I Wllwulll n u www.. Z IU iii f Z u nl-: x fana/il v l Feb. 13, 1940- E. B. FEAs'rr-:R

TENS ION DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1937 Feb. 13, 1940. E. B. FEAsTER 2,190,261

TENSION DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1957 s sheets-sheet` s Patented Feb. 13, 1940 AUNITED STATES PATENr OFFICE z,19o,zs1 TENSION nevica Application December 15, 1937, Serial No. 180,021

1 2 Claims.

This invention relates to winding machines for winding cops, cones and other forms of packages of yarn, thread and like strand materials; and particularly to improved means for 5 regulating the amount or degree of tension applied to the strand being wound in accordance with its linear speed or rate of draft.

In the following specification and claims the term yarn is employed in a general sense to apply to all forms of strand material, either textile or otherwise, and the designation package `is intended to indicate the product of theV machine whatever its form.

One object of the present invention is to provide a differential tension device adapted to operate automatically to maintain an ultimate uniform tension `on the yarn as the linear speed of the latter is varied.

l Another object of the invention is to provide "u a device of the type specified which is controlled by the growth of the package being wound to reduce the applied tension on the strand as the speed of draftof the latter increases whereof to maintain the ultimate tension uniform throughout the winding.

Another object of the` invention is to provide a tension device of the type indicated comprising magnetic means for applying pressure to the tension-members which act against the strand to apply tension thereto. y

Another object of the invention is to provide a tension device of the type indicated having magnetic means for applying the force to cause the tension-members to bear against the strand 3" and automatically-operated means for varying the effect of the magnetic force vto adjust the amount of tension applied to the strand.

' Another object of the invention is toprovide in a winding machine, a magnetically-operated m tension device with means 'actuated automatically during the growth of the packagev being wound to shift the magnetic means to vary the amount of tension applied to" the running strand i in accordance with the Vvariation in its linear Another object of the invention is to provide a differential tension device of the type indicated comprising a minimum number of parts of 5U simple construction adapted to operate without undue wear and durable in use over long periods of time.

Further objects ofthe improvement are set fforth in the following specification which dei o5 scribes a preferred embodiment of the invention,

(CL 242-) l by way of example, as illustrated by the accom- `panying drawings. Inthe drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a winding machine showing the essential elements of the winding mechanism and illustrating the present 5 'improved tension device as applied to use therewith;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the tension device showing the tension-members bearing against a strand feeding therebetween lo with .the magnetic means applying the maximum pressure thereto; Y Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the magnetic means displaced in position to reduce the force applied to press the tension-members against the strand;

Fig. 4 is a part-sectional plan view of the tension-device with the parts shown in the same position as in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5,1s a perspective view showing the various parts of the tension device in disassembled relationship. l

The present invention is concerned more particularly with a tension device for use on winding machines in which the package being wound is rotated at av constant rate of speed. As well known to those skilled in the art, winding machines of this type operate in such manner that as the winding progresses and the package increases in circumference the yarn feeds thereto at an accelerated rate and, consequently, unless the applied tension on the yarn is relieved the tension at the, package will be augmented so as to have a deleterious effect on the winding. It has heretofore been proposed to provide means for gradually relieving or reducing the tension applied to the yarn during the increase in its linear speed and the present invention consists in an improved device employing magnetic means to apply the tension and automatically regulate the amount thereof during the winding. The invention is herein shown as applied to use on a winding machine of conventional type having a positivelyA driven winding-spindle on which the package is woundand a reciprocating 'thread-guide which traverses the yarn longitudinally of the spindle. Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the winding-.spindle 2 is journaled in bearings at the top of a box-like frame 3 and driven from .a pulley or other suitable means, not herein shown. 'I'he thread-guide 5 is slidably mounted in a traverse-frame 6 and connected to be reciprocated by a helical cam, not shown, which is rotated by a shaft 1, also .iournaled in bearings in the Aframe 3 and con- 66 nected to be driven with the winding-spindle--2- A starting lever or handle 4 at the top of the frame 3 is connected to the driving `mechanism of the machine in the usual manner to control the operation of the machine. The traverseframe 6 is pivoted on the cam-shaft 1 and below the latter it is counterbalanced by an arm 3 terminating in a weight 9 at its lower` end.

The strand of yarn y or other material feeds through a tension device, represented generally by the reference character IIJ, thence draws up through a slub-detector II' of known construction, and passing over a wire-bail I2 on the traverse-frame 6, draws 'through a notch in the thread-guide 5 to direct it onto a suitable tube or carrier t mounted on the spindle 2. As the yarn builds up on the tube or carrier t the threadguide 5 is forced radially outward from the axis of the winding-spindle 2 with the traverse-frame 6 pivoting on the shaft 1 to accommodate such movement of the guide. The thread-guide 5 is maintained bearing on the winding at all times by the pressure of the counterweight 9 and in some cases a diierential pressure device cooperates with the traverse-frame to gradually reduce the pressure of the thread-guide on the package during the growth in the winding. A dogging device of well-known construction, indicated generally at I3 in Fig. 1, is usually provided to control the outward movement of the traverse-frame 6 whereby to prevent' the thread-guide 5 from vibratory movement during the winding. Suffice it to state herein that the swinging movement of the traverse-frame 6 is employed for varying the pressure of the tension-members on the running strand to reduce the applied tension whereof to maintain a substantially constant yarn tension as the package increases in diameter.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, the present improved tension device comprises a iixed element ror member I4 and a movable member I5 adapted to press against the strand y as it draws upwardly therebetween. In the present improved form of construction the yarn-contacting members of the tension device are preferably constructed of glass or other vitreous material in the form of at plates I6 and I1 having their edges beveled on four sides as shown most clearly in Fig. 5. The tension-plate I6 is mounted on a sheet-metal frame or support I8 of substantially triangular shape in main outline and having ears I9 bent at right-angles at its upper and lower ends. Projecting from the forward edge of the main portion of the frame I8 are two parallel arms 20 with the metal folded or curled over to provide grooves for receiving the beveled edges of the plate I6. The fixed tension-member I4 is rigidly supported on a tension-bracket 22 comprising an arm 23 bolted to the frame 3 of the winding machine and carrying an offset upright cross-arm 24 of slightly bowed conformation. The upright or cross-arm 24 supports the slub-detector II at its upper end and also mounts a vertical rod 25 held in bores in lugs 26 and 21 projecting laterally from the top and bottom of the arm. The ears I9 on the frame I8 are bored to receive the rod 25 and a screw 28 passing through a hole 2| in the frame is screwedv into a lug 29 on the central portion of the cross-arm 24 to secure the tension-member I4 in stationary position.

The movable tensionfm'ember I5 is pivotally mounted on-the rod 25 to swing about the axis of the rod. The member`l5 comprises a trianguflarly-shaped frame or. support 30 having ears 3l at its top and bottom bored to receive the rod 25 and a narrowed arcuately-bent extension 32 at its center. The tension-plate I1 is mounted in a holder 35 comprising a sheet-metal element of rectangularoutline having its top and bottom edges bent over to engage the beveled edges of the plate. A pair of pins 36 project from the back of the plate-holder 35 through holesin the extension 32 of the frame 30 and are headed over at their ends to secure the plate-holder to the frame with a loose connection. Preferably, the pins 36 are somewhat smaller than the holes in the frame 30 so that the holder 35 is free to rock laterally to a slight extent on the frame for a purpose as later explained. When the frame members I8y and 30 are mounted on the vertical rod 25 with the member I 8 secured fast to'the upright 24 of the bracket 22 the ears 3| on the frame. 3U overlap the ears I9 on the frame I8 so that both tension-members are held from vertical movement.

It will be observed that with the above-described form of mounting the tension-member I4 is held iixed, while the member I5 is adapted to swing with respect thereto and to assume a position with the two faces of the plates I6 and I1 in opposite parallel relationship as shown most clearly in Fig. 4 of the drawings. 'I'he strand of yarn y is supplied to the machine from a cop or bobbin arranged below, but not herein shown. The strand feeds upwardly through a pigtail guide 31, formed at the terminal ofthe wire rod 25, and thence through the crotch of a second wire guide 38 to direct it between the tension-members I4 and I5 at a point rearwardly from their forward edges, see Fig. 4. From the tensionmembers I4 and I5 the yarn feeds through theV -slub-detector II and thence to the winding in the manner as before explained.

As previously indicated, the means for applying pressure to the movable tension-member I5 to cause it to press against the yarn drawing between the plates I6 and I1 comprises a magnet 40 which is preferably of the horseshoe type as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The magnet 40 may be constructed of any suitable metal properly magnetized, and to adapt it to be shifted in position with respect to the movable tension-member I 5 it is mounted on a pivoted arm or lever 4I as by means of rivets 42.

'I'he lever 4I may be conveniently constructed of sheet-metal bent into L-shape at its lower end to provide an upright ear 43 extending parallel to its main arm and formed with a hole registering with a corresponding hole in the arm which serve as bearings for a pivot-pin or rod 45. The pivot-rod 45 is screwed into the lower end of the cross-arm 24 on the bracket 22 with the magnet-supporting lever 4I pivbted thereon and held in place by a collar 46 secured to the end of the rod by a set-screw 41. l

.The magnet-carrying arm or lever 4I is formed with a series of holes 49 at its upper end and engaging one of these is thehooked end of a wire link or connecting rod 50. The opposite end of the link 50 is screwed into a member 5I which has a transverse hole for receiving a stud v52 which connects it with the lower arm 8 of the traversefrarne 6. As herein shown, the stud 52 is slidable in a slot 56 in the offset upper portion of a member 53 fastened to the arm 8 at 54. A nut 65 1s screwed onto the threaded end of the stud 52 to bind its shouldered portion against the member 53, see Fig. 4. By loosening the nut 55 the stud 52 can be slid in the slot 56 to adjust the connec- .its connecting member 5I.

2,190,261 tion of the unk so with the arm s t vary its position with respect to the pivot of the traverser frame 6 whereof toregulate the amount of motion transmitted through the link 50 to the magnetlever 4I during the movement of the threadguide 5. As a further means for regulating the extent of motion transmitted to the magnetlever 4I and the initial position of the magnet 40 the link 50 may be shifted in the holes 48 in the upper end of the lever. To secure alfine adjust- 'ment ofthe position of the magnet 4I) with re spect to the movable tension-member I5 the link 50 may' be screwed into or unscrewed partly from It should be stated that the lever 4 I is lpreferably constructed of brass to render it non-magnetic and, likewise.

' the frame I8 which holds the tension-plate I6 is preferably made of copper or brass for the same reason. 'Ihe holder 35 and frame 30, however, are constructed of steel in order to adapt them to be influenced by the force of the magnet 40.

The tension-member I5 may be swung open to receive the yarn and means in the form of a plunger 60 is provided on the tension-bracket 22 for thereafter automatically swinging the member into operative position to be influenced by the magnet 40.- Normall'y, the end of the plunger 50 is clear of the frame 30 when the tenslonplates I6 and I'I are bearing against the yarn y to apply tension thereto, but when the frame 30 is swung open manually to admit the yarn between the tension-plates in' threading up the device the .plunger will act against the rearward portion of the frame to return the latter intoV operative position. In other words, the plunger 6U functions merely to close the tension-members after they have been opened manually. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the upright or cross-arm 24 of the bracket 22 is formed with a hub 6I bored to receive the reduced shank 62 of the plunger 60. The head of the plunger 60 slides in an enlarged counterbore 63 in the hub 5I with a spring 54 coiled around its shank and normally tending to project the plunger outwardly from the end of the hub. Av pair of nuts 65 on the threaded end of the shank 62 of the plunger serve to limit the outward movement of the plunger under the action of the spring 64, the nuts providing means to adjust the plunger in position with clearance between its end and the side of the frame 30 of 'the tension-member I5 when the latter is in the strand of yarn y is led up from its source of supply through the guides 31 and 38 and between'the plates I5 and II of the tension-members I4 and I5. Thence it is'passed through the slub-detector II, drawn over the wire-bail I2 on the traverse-frame 5 and through the notch in the thread-guide 5, and its end suitably attached to the cop-tube or carrier t. The traverse-frame 6 is placed in position with the guide 5 bearing against the peripheryY of the tube t, this operation being performed by releasing the dogging' device I3 which, as before stated, is usually provided for preventing the guide from retrogres- ,in the manner of a turnbuckle.

sive movement toward, the winding-spindle 2. The operation of the machine is started by rocking the hand-lever 4 and as the winding-spindle 2 is rotated and the thread-guide 5 traversed longitudinally thereof the yarn is laid on the tube t in helical coils to build up a package by what is known as the Wardwell or Figi wind.

At the start of the winding operation with the thread-guide 5 bearing against the cop-tube t on the winding-spindle 2 and the traverse-frame 5 in the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings the magnet-carrying lever 4I will' be in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 with the poles of the magnet 40 closely adjacent the rearward side of the fixed tension-member I4. In this position of the parts the lines of magnetic force pass from one pole of the magnet 40 through the glassplates I6 and I'I to the other pole of the `magnet and are thus caused to attract the steel parts of the tension-member I5 to draw it toward the member I4. In this way the tension-plate I'I is caused to press the strand of yarn y against the opposed face of the plate I5 to apply resistance to the draft of the strand as it draws between the tension-plate. The amount of pressure thus appliedto the strand may be regulated by adjusting the position of the lever 4I to initially locate the magnet 40 nearer to or farther-from the movable tension-member, this adjustment being elected by sluiting the link 50 in the different holes 48 at the upper end of the lever and/or by turning the link in the connecting member 5I In the present drawings, the link 50 is shown connected with the upper hole` 48 -which locates the magnet 4I!Y in a position to exert a maximum attractive force on the movable tension-member I5, but with the link 50 engaged with a lower hole 48 or screwed farther into the member 5I the magnet will be I initially positioned farther away from the tension-member I 5 to diminish its'attractive force.

As the winding proceeds the yarn is built up on the cop-tube t in overlying layers and the thread-guide 5 is forced outwardly from the spindle 2, thereby swinging the traverse-frame 6 with it while the lower arm of the frame swings in the opposite direction. As the arm 8 recedes from the tension-device III the link 50 will rock the lever 4IA in the same direction to shift the magnet 40 away from the movable tension-member I52 as indicated in Fig. 3. During this continuous receding movement of the magnet 40 from the tension device I0 the magnetic force applied to attract the movable tension-member I5 is diminished to gradually lessen the pressure of the tension-plate I'I on the running strand of yarn y. .StatedA briefly, as the package lncreases in diameter and the linear speed of the yarn is proportionately increased due to the c growing diameter of the winding the lever II will be moved by the traverse-frame 5 to gradually lessen the attraction of the magnet 4I! for the movable member I5. In this way the tension applied-to the yarn is progressively reduced and, consequently, the ultimate tension on the strand as it winds into the package is maintained substantially constant.

By adjusting the connection of th'e linkin on the ami 8 of the traverse-frame 6 t0 alter its position with respect to the axis on which the frame swings the relative movement of the mag-l net-carrying arm 4I may be regulated in relation to the movement of the thread-guide 5 so as to provide the proper variation in the amount of tension applied to the yarn in conformity with its changing winding.

It has been stated lthat the tension-plate l1 is mounted on the movable member I5 with a loose connection between the rivets 36 and the holes in the extension 32 of the member 30. Through this construction the tension-plate I1 is permitted to rock slightly in both horizontal and vertical planes to allow the passage of slubs or enlargements on the yarn without causing the movable tension-member to be swung away from the xed member. This provision prevents chattering and vibration of the movable tensionmember which would tend to cause an uneven tension on the strand.

It will be observed from the foregoing that the present invention y'provides an improved differential tension-device which is operated automatically duringthe progress of the winding to relieve the applied tension on the running strand to compensate for the increase in its linear speed whereby to maintain a substantially constant tension as the yarn winds into the package. In this way excessive tension on the strand is avoided so that the cop or package may be woundwith the proper degree of tension to prevent the yarn from being strained or the package being del formed by bulging at its ends. The machine is thus adapted to produce perfect packages wound from either ne or coarse yarn without strain on the material and without malformation of the package.

It will further be observed that the present tension-controlling means is of great simplicity as requiring but one moving element, the magnet,

in addition to the standard parts of the machine. Moreover, the` action of the magnetic force onthe movable tension-member is much steadier and under better control than with the usual arrangement of weighted levers employed to adjust the tension, vthus avoiding chattering and vibration ofthe movable tension-member and insuring a more uniform application of tension to the strand.

The present improved device is further of such construction as to render it less liable of becom- .ing deranged` or getting out of order and wear is reduced toa minimum due to the simplification of the mechanism for controlling the action of the movable tension-member.

While the improved device is herein shown and described as embodied in a preferred form of construction, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure andV arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the magnetic means may be employed to apply a fixed degree oi tension to the4 strand without varying its force on the tension-device by shifting the magnet. There-- fore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

l. In a ltension dei/ice, the combination of a magnetic-responsive tension-element movable to 2,190,261 rate of speed as it delivers tothe bear against a-feeding strand to apply resistance to its draft, said tension-element being responsive to magnetic force, a magnet mounted adjacent said magnetic-responsive tension-element for atand means for adjusting the position of said magnet with respect to the magnetic-responsive element to vary the effect of said magnet on sai element.

3. In a tension device, the combination of a magnetic-responsive tension-element movable to adapt it to bear against a feeding strand to apply resistance toits draft, a. magnet mounted adjacent said magnetic-responsive element for attracting it to cause it to bear against the strand, and means to progressively shift the magnet relatively of 'said magnetic-responsive element to vary the effect of said magnet on said element. 4. In a tension device, the combination of tension-members adapted to bear against a strand feeding therebetween, one of said tension members being responsive to magnetic force, a magnet mounted adjacent said magnetic-responsive member to attract it and' cause it to press the strand against the opposite member, and means to progressively shift the magnet relatively of said magnetic-responsive member to vary the strength of the magnetic force.

5. In a tension device, the combination of a relatively stationary tension-member, a second magnetic-responsive member movable toward the stationary membera magnet mounted adjacent:

. said members, and means for adjusting the magnet away from the movable tension-member to vdiminish the effect of its force thereon.

6. In a winding machine, the combination of a tension-device for applying tension to a strand feeding to the machine, means for winding a package from said strand, magnetic means for operating the tension device, and means actuated during the growth of the package being' wound on the machine to progressively reduce the force of the magnetic` means to reduce the tension ap plied to the strand as the linear speed of the latter increases.

'7. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotary winding-spindle, means for traversing yarn to wind a package on said spindle, a tensiondevice for applying resistance to the draft of the yarn as it feeds to the winding, magnetic means for actuating the tension-device, andV means operated during the increase in diameter of the package to vary the force of said magnetic means to reduce the amount of tension applied to the yarn.

8. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotary lWinding-spindle, means for traversing yarn on the spindle toY wind a package, said spindle and traversing means being caused to separate as the package increases in size, means for applying tension. to the yarn feeding'to the package, magnetic means for operating said tension-means, and means actuated by the separation of the winding-spindle and traversing means to vary the force of the magnetic means to progressively reduce the amount of tension applied to the yarn throughout the winding of lthe package.

9. In a winding machine, the combination of tension device for applying resistance to the draft of the yarn as it feeds to the package, amagnet for actuating the tension device, and means operated by the separation of the winding-spindle and traversing means to shift the magnet to vary its force on the tension device to progressively reduce the tension applied to the yarn throughout the winding of the package.

10. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotary winding-spindle, means for traversing yarn on the spindle to wind a package, a tension device comprising means adapted to press against the yarn to apply resistance to its draft as it feeds to the package, a magnet for actuating said tension device, and means inuenced by the growth in diameter of the package to move the magnet to diminish its force on the tension device to progressively reduce the tension applied to the yarn during the winding of the package.

11. In a Winding machine, the combination of a rotary Winding-spindle, a thread-guide for traversing yarn on the spindle to wind a package, means for mounting the thread-guide to adapt it to separate from the VWinding-spindle during the growth in the winding, a tension device for applying resistance to the draft of the yarn as it feeds to the winding, a magnet for `the tension device to reduce the tension on the yarn progressively throughout the winding of the package.

12. In a winding machine, the combination of a rotary winding-spindle, a igeciprocatory threadguide for traversing Yyarn on the spindle to Wind a package, a traverse-frame for supporting the thread-guide to adapt it to move away fromv the spindle as the winding increases in diameter, a tension device for applying resistance to the draft of the yarn as it feeds to the winding, a magnet for actuating the tension device, and means connecting the traverse-frame to shift the magnet to reduce its force on the tension device to relieve the tension on the yarn progressively throughout the winding of the package.

EDWARD B. FEASTER. 

